June 27, 2017: Eight states of Northeast region are among the states which are likely to benefit from the GST rollout on the midnight of June 30th and July 1st. Contrary to certain misconceived notions in certain quarters, GST will offer these States an opportunity to realize fiscal growth in tandem with the more developed states of India and thus make up for their own shortcomings.
This was stated here today by the Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER), Dr Jitendra Singh during a media interaction on GST rollout on June 26. Earlier, while addressing a congregation on the theme “Development of North-Eastern Region” organized by National Housing Development Organization at Pragati Maidan, he said, the Union Government’s target of “Housing for All by 2022” will also gain momentum through reinforced State ex-chequer, consequent to the supplementation of the tax-pool following the implementation of GST.
When asked about the possible inconveniences during the early transition phase after July 1st, Dr Jitendra Singh said, there is no need either to panic and said, it is only like any other transition in one’s routine happening at any other level as well, like, for example, whenever an individual or family changes the place of residence, in that case too, there are initial hesitations and it takes time to get used to the new order.
Dr Jitendra Singh also emphasized the need to highlight that with the kind of exemption limit available, many of the traders and many of the middle-class businessmen may not fall in the gambit of GST and thus may not have to pay any tax. Similarly, those trading in exempted items like Dal / Pulses etc, would also be required neither to pay tax nor to file return.